P-CCS Student sentenced to 3 months for school threat

The student who admitted to posting threats in the bathrooms at two high schools in the Plymouth Canton Educational Park will serve three months in jail and three years probation.

Brendan James Sibel, 17, of Canton Township, was on probation for marijuana possession at the time of the incident and also had three disorderly conduct juvenile convictions and 30 disciplinary actions taken by the school. Wayne County Circuit Court Judge James Chylinski noted those facts when he announced his sentencing decision April 13.

Sibel entered a guilty plea to two counts of terrorism threat, a 20-year-felony, and two counts of bomb threat, a 4-year-felony. He will serve his jail time in the Dickerson detention facility rather than Wayne County Jail. Chylinski said that he ordered jail time for the teen to send a message.

“Part of that is intended to kind of wake you up … next time you think about doing something stupid, you’re going to think twice,” Chylinski told Sibel during the sentencing hearing.

He was sentenced under the state Holmes Youthful Trainee Act which will allow him to have all four felony charges leveled against him erased from his public record if he successfully completes his sentence without further incident. The judge also ordered the teen to undergo psychological counseling, continue taking his current medication regimen and pay all court costs associated with the case.

The charges were filed by the office of the Wayne County Prosecutor after students at Canton and Salem high schools found threats written on lavatory walls in each building on March 8. The schools were closed while police investigated the incident. Canton Township police determined that the threat was not credible.”

Sible reportedly said he made the threats in an effort to get out of class. “I’m sorry and I learned my lesson,” he said at his sentencing.

“We are evaluating these very serious cases on an individual basis,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy.

“Threats made against our schools, regardless of intent, will not be tolerated,” said Monica L. Merritt, P-CCS Superintendent of Schools. “Any threats to the safety of our students and staff will be taken seriously, and those deemed responsible will be held accountable. We recognize what makes our high school campus so unique as ‘Three Schools, One Park’ also presents some unique challenges…but we have an incredible community, and together we will ensure that P-CCS remains a safe learning environment for all.”